The Powerball lottery is one of the most popular multi-state lottery games in the United States. Played across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Powerball offers some of the biggest jackpot prizes in the country. Since its inception in 1992, Powerball has awarded jackpots worth hundreds of millions of dollars to lucky winners across participating states.
California joined Powerball in April 2013, becoming the 43rd jurisdiction to participate in the multi-state game. As one of the most populous states in the U.S., California’s inclusion was expected to significantly boost Powerball ticket sales and jackpots. In the years since joining, several notable Powerball jackpots have been won by players who purchased tickets in California.
This article examines how many Powerball jackpot prizes have been awarded to ticket holders in California since the state began participating in 2013. We will look at the details of each California jackpot win, including the winning ticket details, lucky retailers, and how the winners chose to claim their prizes. Understanding California’s Powerball jackpot wins provides insight into the game’s impact and popularity in the state.
Powerball Overview
Before analyzing California’s Powerball jackpots, let’s first provide some background on how the Powerball game works.
Powerball jackpots begin at $40 million and continue growing until a ticket matches all six numbers drawn. Players try to match five main numbers between 1-69, as well as the Powerball number between 1-26. The advertised jackpot is paid out as an annuity over 29 years, or as a single lump sum cash payment.
Tickets cost $2 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 10 times using the Power Play feature for an additional $1 per play. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are incredibly steep at 1 in 292.2 million. However, the game’s eight smaller prize tiers offer better odds ranging from 1 in 24.9 to 1 in 11.7 million. Jackpots are often won by multiple tickets splitting the top prize.
California Powerball Jackpot Wins
Since joining Powerball in April 2013, California has awarded 7 jackpot prizes over a span of 9 years. Here is the breakdown of each CA jackpot win:
| Winning Draw Date | Jackpot Amount | Winning Ticket Details |
|---|---|---|
| August 6, 2022 | $206.9 million | 1 ticket purchased at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena |
| January 5, 2022 | $699.8 million | 1 ticket purchased at Alberto’s Food Store in Morro Bay |
| October 4, 2021 | $699.8 million | 1 ticket purchased at Albertsons in Morro Bay |
| January 13, 2021 | $730 million | 1 ticket purchased at Alberto’s Food Store in Morro Bay |
| November 2, 2018 | $150.4 million | 1 ticket purchased at Extra Mile Store in San Jose |
| June 10, 2017 | $447.8 million | 1 ticket purchased at Marietta Liquor & Deli in Menifee |
| August 7, 2013 | $448.4 million | 2 tickets purchased at Dixon Landing Chevron in Milpitas and PT’s Pub in South Lake Tahoe |
As the data shows, California has produced 7 jackpot winners over the past 9 years. The state did not have to wait long to see its first jackpot, with a $448 million prize awarded less than 5 months after Powerball launched in CA.
The most recent CA jackpot occurred this past August, when a single ticket purchased in Altadena won the $206.9 million prize. Prior to that, the state had a particularly impressive run from 2021-2022, with three jackpots topping $700 million won during that stretch.
Looking at ticket details, 4 out of the 7 jackpots were sole winners purchased at individual retailers in the state. The remaining 3 wins were split between 2 retailers in Milpitas and South Lake Tahoe, and 2 different tickets in Morro Bay.
Most notably, the small city of Morro Bay along California’s Central Coast produced winners for 3 massive jackpots from January 2021 to January 2022. The lucky Alberto’s Food Store sold each of those winning tickets.
Jackpot Winning Trends and Analysis
Analyzing the data on California’s 7 Powerball jackpot wins, we can identify some interesting trends:
- CA jackpot wins have tended to follow periods of building rollovers. The 3 biggest prizes occurred after lengthy streaks without a winner nationwide.
- 4 out of 7 jackpots were won within the first 16 months after major Powerball changes, including CA joining in 2013 and a jackpot odds change in 2015.
- The day of week with the most CA winners is Wednesday, which produced 3 jackpots on draw dates in 2013, 2021 and 2022.
- The Morro Bay retailer Alberto’s Food Store sold CA jackpot tickets 3 times from 2021-2022, making it a highly lucky CA lottery retailer.
- CA jackpot wins have been scattered seasonally, without strong tendencies for particular months or seasons.
While winning Powerball jackpots relies entirely on the randomness of the draw, these trends provide some perspective on how CA’s top prizes have been won. The data points to jackpot luck striking after extended rollover periods, and often coinciding with major game changes.
With CA joining Powerball relatively recently in 2013, it is likely just the start of many more jackpots to come for the state. Population hubs like Los Angeles and the Bay Area remain strong sources of ticket sales that will continue producing winners.
Jackpot Winners in California
Beyond the ticket details, here is a look at California’s 7 lucky Powerball jackpot winners and how they claimed their massive prizes:
August 2022: $206.9 Million
California’s most recent jackpot winner was purchased at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena. The winner chose to remain anonymous through a trust. They selected the lump sum cash option, bringing home $120.6 million after federal taxes.
January 2022: $699.8 Million
This jackpot holding ticket was sold at Alberto’s Food Store in Morro Bay. The winner was identified as Edwin Castro of Sacramento, who worked as a house painter. Castro opted for the lump sum payment of $496 million.
October 2021: $699.8 Million
Morro Bay retailer Alberto’s Food Store produced another jackpot just months later. This ticket was claimed by a Powerball pool made up of 16 hospital workers from central California. The group chose the cash option, splitting $496 million before taxes.
January 2021: $730 Million
Alberto’s Food Store completed its impressive jackpot hat trick with a $730 million ticket sold to a Morro Bay couple in their 50s. They claimed the prize through a trust and chose the lump sum, netting around $550 million pre-tax.
November 2018: $150.4 Million
An Extra Mile convenience store in San Jose sold this ticket to 52-year-old Charles Jackson Jr. He opted to take the full annuity, which worked out to about $75 million after taxes.
June 2017: $447.8 Million
The winner of this prize bought their ticket at Marietta Liquor & Deli in Menifee. They chose to remain anonymous and took the lump sum of $271 million pre-tax.
August 2013: $448.4 Million
California’s inaugural Powerball jackpot was split between two winning tickets. One was purchased by Mario Scarnici of Monterey County, who claimed his share through a trust. The second went to Paul White of Minnesota, who bought his ticket while traveling in California. Each received about $149 million lump sum before taxes.
Reviewing the list of winners shows a diversity of winners across individuals, groups and those who chose anonymity. While their lives were changed forever, each winner navigated their windfall responsibly by seeking legal and financial advice before claiming.
Notable Near-Jackpot Wins in California
In addition to its 7 jackpot wins, California has produced other Powerball ticket buyers who came very close to claiming the top prize:
- May 2013: A ticket purchased in Belmont matched the first 5 numbers but missed the Powerball for a $2 million prize. At the time, the jackpot was $140 million.
- December 2013: Santa Clarita resident Steve Tran purchased a ticket matching 5 numbers for a $1 million prize. The jackpot that drawing was $122 million.
- April 2016: A ticket sold in Modesto matched 5 numbers but missed the Powerball, earning a $2 million prize. The jackpot was $429 million.
- January 2017: A San Lorenzo supermarket sold a ticket matching 5 numbers but missing the Powerball for a $1 million prize. The jackpot was $435 million.
Although they fell short of the jackpot, these CA players still won life-changing consolation prizes. Matching 5 numbers occurs at odds of 1 in 11.7 million, showing it’s possible to get very close to a jackpot win.
Where Jackpot Tickets Were Purchased in California
Powerball jackpot tickets have been sold at a range of California retailers since the game launched in 2013:
- Gas stations: 4 jackpot tickets
- Grocery stores: 2 jackpot tickets
- Liquor store: 1 jackpot ticket
- Convenience store: 1 jackpot ticket
- Restaurant/bar: 1 shared jackpot ticket
With gas stations selling the most so far, it shows jackpots can arrive from any type of retailer. High foot traffic locations like grocery and convenience stores have also sold their share of lucky tickets.
Certain individual retailers have proven especially fortunate, including:
- Alberto’s Food Store, Morro Bay: 3 jackpot tickets
- Dixon Landing Chevron, Milpitas: 1 shared jackpot ticket
- PT’s Pub, South Lake Tahoe: 1 shared jackpot ticket
- Joe’s Service Center, Altadena: 1 jackpot ticket
Alberto’s Food Store clearly stands out having sold 3 prizes over a 13-month span. Dixon Landing Chevron and PT’s Pub also share the distinction of selling tickets for CA’s first Powerball jackpot in 2013.
Key Lessons from California Winners
Reviewing California’s 7 Powerball jackpot wins provides some key lessons on navigating such a substantial windfall:
- Remain anonymous – 4 out of 7 CA winners remained anonymous by claiming through trusts and limited liability companies. This protects privacy and security.
- Seek expert advice – CA winners utilized experienced lottery lawyers and financial planners to handle their claims responsibly.
- Take time to decide – There is no rush to claim. Winners waited weeks or months before coming forward and choosing cash or annuity.
- Split prizes strategically – The 16 hospital workers formed a limited liability company to evenly divide their prize.
- Choose lump sum strategically – Lump sum makes sense for investing and tax planning. But annuity offers tax advantages spreading payments over decades.
Following these tips can help any future CA jackpot winners safely claim their prizes and leverage their windfall into long-term prosperity.
Conclusion
Since Powerball arrived in April 2013, California has produced 7 jackpot winning tickets over the last 9 years. Morro Bay retailer Alberto’s Food Store stands out having sold 3 of those grand prizes worth over $700 million each from 2021-2022.
CA jackpot wins have followed periods of extended national rollovers. Winners have represented diverse demographics, including individuals, groups and anonymous claims through trusts. Most winners opted for the lump sum cash payment, taking home hundreds of millions after taxes.
While hitting the jackpot remains an extremely long shot, California players have proven it can happen. Past winners provide excellent examples for responsibly handling such enormous lottery windfalls. Powerball’s continued popularity ensures California will likely see many more jackpot victories in the future.